Work-in-Progress Performance
at The Moat Theatre, Naas
November 1st, 2023
‘It is ordered that a time of national mourning be proclaimed all amusements be suspended, all theatres and places of public amusement be closed. Anyone refusing will be treated as an enemy of the republic’
It is 1923. Playwright Malachy Sweeney has been thwarted for ten years in his efforts to stage his brand new play. As the Civil War draws to a close, the IRA’s Amusements Order looks like foiling his plans yet again – until he alights on a ‘brilliant’ scheme! Inspired by his hero, WB Yeats – who wins the Nobel Prize in the same year – Sweeney is determined that the show must go on. Performed by just three actors, this satiric comedy set during the concluding moments of the founding decade of the state, sees Sweeney joined by the hard-pressed theatre manager, an ambitious young actress keen to make it in the ‘talkies’, their wealthy supporter and culture impresario and many more, who make up this madcap sideways glance at an alternative 1923.
Darn Skippy Productions was grateful to be able to present this
work-in-progress performance of our new play to mark
The Decade of Commemorations.
We are excited to return to the development of Enemy of the Republic soon!
Cast
Finbarr Doyle
Roseanne Lynch
Brian McCarthy
Creative Team
Written by Gerard O'Shea
Directed by Lianne O’Shea
Music Composition and Sound Design by Richard Lennon
Production Design by Lianne O'Shea
Supported by
The County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee
& The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media
under The Decade of Centenaries Initiative 2012-2023
A Darn Skippy Production
With thanks to:
Celine, Kathleen, Anita, Aisling, Chloe and Conor at the Moat Theatre, Naas;
The Moat Club; Wabee and Niki in the Moat Theatre Café;
& Kevin Murphy and The Decade of Commemorations Committee.